Principal Engineer - Control & Protection System Application
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£58,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2123 (97% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £58,700, and GE Vernova is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
In 2025, GE Vernova assigned 116 or more Certificates of Sponsorship for SOC 2123 jobs, according to the Home Office.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2123 Electrical engineers Most likely code | £41,100 | £47,000 | £52,900 | £58,700 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Become part of a winning team and help to deliver the Green Energy transition.
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer specialising in Voltage Source Converter (VSC) control and protection.
As the ideal candidate, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced VSC control strategies and protection schemes for HVDC-VSC, LCC and renewable energy systems.
The role requires a deep understanding of power electronics, control theory, and power system protection.
As a Principal Engineer, you will be working across multi-discipline in all aspects of HVDC Control & Protection system and support the development of department talent.
Job Description
Roles and Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership & Oversight
- Oversee the overall technical solution, ensuring customer requirements are met based on reference solutions.
- Lead requirements gathering, system design, implementation, and development of HVDC Control & Protection systems.
- Be the owner of all aspects of Control & Protection system deployment, system Configuration, and validation, as well as all usual integration challenges of the control & protection system
- Participate Patent Evaluation Board (PEB) to protect technology that gives the business a competitive advantage, as well as protecting the intellectual property rights of the company.
- Represent the business externally at conferences or in professional working bodies (IEC, CIGRE etc) and maintain active relationship with relevant academic institutions to promote research projects and other academic cooperations.
- Stay updated with emerging technologies, standards, and best practices in VSC systems and power system protection
- Control System & Protection Design
- Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related field or equivalent knowledge
- Significant experience in power electronics, HVDC- LCC or VSC-based system design.
- Exceptional expertise in VSC control theory, modulation strategies, and power system protection.
- Experience with PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink, Dig SILENT, or similar simulation tools.
- Knowledge of IEC 61850, IEEE standards, and grid codes for VSC and HVDC applications.
- Proven track record in leading complex engineering projects and teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Proven leadership and mentoring abilities.
- Effective communication and technical documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and make strategic engineering decisions.
- Experience with offshore wind HVDC projects.
- Familiarity with real-time digital simulation (RTDS/HIL testing).
- Knowledge of cybersecurity considerations in power electronic systems.
- A key role in a dynamic, international working environment with a large degree of flexibility in work agreements.
- Competitive benefits and great development opportunities, including private health insurance.
GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business electrifies the world with advanced grid technologies and systems, enabling power transmission and distribution across the power grid and supporting a decarbonized and secured energy transition.
About Us:
GE Vernova is a world leader in the energy solutions market with a portfolio of energy businesses across the globe. Grid Solutions provides equipment, systems, and services to bring power reliably and efficiently from the point of generation to end power consumers. We electrify the world with advanced grid technologies and accelerate the energy transition – and we want you to be part of that change and enjoy imagination at work.
If you are ready to make a difference and usher in a new era of clean, reliable energy, come join us.
About GEV Grid Solutions:
At GEV Grid Solutions we are electrifying the world with advanced grid technologies. As leaders in the energy space our goal is to accelerate the transition for a more energy efficient grid to full fill the needs of tomorrow. With a focus on growth and sustainability GE Grid Solutions plays a pivotable role in integrating Renewables onto the grid to drive to carbon neutral. In Grid Solutions we help enable the transition for a greener more reliable Grid. GE Grid Solutions has the most advanced and comprehensive product and solutions portfolio within the energy sector.
Why We Come To Work:
What We Offer:
A key role in a dynamic, international working environment with a large degree of flexibility of work agreements
Competitive benefits, and great development opportunities - including private health insurance.
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with GE Vernova, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Electrical engineers (SOC 2123) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~36k in sample- Middle half £41,392–68,380
- Median £55,432
- Going rate £58,700
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £41,100–52,900
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About sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. GE Vernova holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. In 2025, GE Vernova assigned 116 or more Certificates of Sponsorship for SOC 2123 jobs, according to the Home Office. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2123 going rate of £58,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.